The original roller coaster at Camden Park was named "The New Sensation." It was built around 1912, according to Paul Fulks. "In 1916, Eustace Via bought the park and ran it until the end of the Second World War," he said. "By 1957, the new owners decided the old coaster was less than safe. One of owners, Harry Nudd (who also was the man in charge of maintaining the park), purchased coaster plans from a Dayton, Ohio, amusement ride company and in seven weeks between the 1957 and 1958 park season built what is now known as the Big Dipper. This coaster is one a only a few of the all-wood coasters left in the United States." Camden Park, started as a picnic by the Camden Interstate Railway Co. in 1902 to generate patronage for its streetcars, still operates today. Date is unknown.

Gallery: Camden Park through the years

Jun. 03, 2013 @ 02:16 PM

Camden Park began in 1903 as a picnic area for the Camden Interstate Railway. Today, it remains the only amusement park in West Virginia.